Top Scams That College Students Should Watch Out For

It’s an open secret that scammers prey on people’s vulnerabilities to make money. Often, the focus is on persons with access to finances but inexperienced in the ways of the scamming world. This explains why college students are the primary targets in scamming schemes. According to BBB, 42% of the time, college students are more likely to fall prey and subsequently lose money to scammers. Are you a college student? Here are some scams to be aware of. 

• Employment scams

No matter how busy college students are, they always find ways to make money to supplement additional needs while on campus. Moreover, because illegitimate businesses know this, they devise job scams to outwit the unsuspecting student. According to a report by the Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council (ITRC), these scams become conduits through which scammers steal crucial personal details from college students. So how can you detect a job scam? There are red flags you must be on the lookout for. These are:

• Offers that are too good to be true
• Suspicious-looking email addresses
• A request for upfront payment or personal information from the onset

A legitimate business wouldn’t ask you for a fee to fill an employment form. Again, it’s unusual for a credible recruiter to request an interview session in an unfamiliar place. You should also be wary of Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) schemes that promise income upon introducing more friends to the business group.

As a solution, build up relevant skills that can land you a legitimate side job while schooling. Fortunately, online courses abound in this era, and to be sure of their authenticity, you can review Elliot Berard’s website called I buy courses and review them.

• Tuition scams

This is the most common type of scam that targets young and unassuming college students. It usually involves information about being behind in tuition payments. Using emails or phone calls, the perpetrator contacts the college student and introduces themselves as representatives from the school’s admissions office. Using learned language, the scammers assert that the said student may lose their place in college because of a delay in meeting financial obligations.

With cunning skills, they offer a seeming solution to the problem. At this point, the unsuspecting prey is coerced into thinking that an immediate credit card payment will resolve the issue. To ascertain the authenticity of such calls, it’s always advisable to contact the college directly. Moreover, use contact details indicated on the school’s letter or the college admission letter. Never call a number the perpetrator offered via phone or email to verify.

• Housing scams & fake rental listings

As it stands now, many college dorms and hostels are enforcing social protocols due to the pandemic. Unfortunately, this has become fertile ground for scammers. Nonetheless, student housing scams have been around long before the pandemic. Their operating mode is to copy pictures of legitimate student housing units and convert them into rental listings. Usually, when the supposed landlord or leasing agent doesn’t allow you to see the place before making a deposit, that’s a red flag.

Avoid being the perfect prey that scammers like to access easily. Admittedly, being away from home for the first time may feel like the proverbial deer caught in headlights. Nonetheless, make every effort to protect yourself from losing money.